The Associated Press released their list of first and second-team All-Pro selections on Friday, with no members of the Denver Broncos receiving any first-team honors. Two players received second-team honors from the 2023 NFL season.
Two Denver Broncos listed on AP Second-Team All-Pro list
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons was selected by the Associated Press as a Second-Team All-Pro at safety for the fourth time in his career. The Broncos’ franchise safety had a tremendous impact on Denver’s defense this past season, giving him a second-team honor alongside Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III.
Simmons finished 2023 with 70 tackles, three interceptions, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and eight passes defensed in 15 games this season for the Broncos, according to Pro Football Reference. The veteran Broncos safety was also selected to the NFL Pro Bowl Games for the second time in his career.
Broncos rookie returner and wide receiver Marvin Mims was the other player selected to the AP’s Second-Team All-Pro list as a returner. Mims led the NFL this season with an average of 16.4 yards per punt return, including a career-high 52-yard punt return this past season. He also had a 99-yard kick return touchdown in the Broncos’ loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 3.
Mims was a big reason for the Broncos’ special teams turnaround under Mike Westhoff and special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica this past season. He demonstrated a great feel for navigating return lanes, reading blocks and finding the small creases that allowed him to find success in the return game, providing the Broncos offense with great starting field position.
If Sean Payton can find ways to incorporate Mims more in the offense in 2024, he has a chance to throw his name into the hat of being considered for an All-Pro designation. His explosive movement and vertical speed were on display at times this season, but he was never made a focal part of Denver’s passing attack, which was a missed opportunity by Payton and the offense collectively.
Potential snubs on the All-Pro list?
After making the AP’s First-Team All-Pro list last season, Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II wasn’t listed on the first or second-team list. New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and Dallas Cowboys CB DaRon Bland took home the honors. Second-team honors went to the Chicago Bears Jaylon Johnson and San Francisco 49ers Charvarius Ward.
Despite not making the AP’s list, Surtain was selected by his peers in the NFLPA’s second-ever All-Pro Team alongside Bland. That vote may hold more consideration coming from players Surtain played against or players who played the same position in comparison to a selection of media voters on the AP side of things.
An argument could have been made for nickel cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, who was a major piece in Denver’s defensive turnaround this season. The moment he stepped in at nickel, Denver’s defense improved remarkably.
Broncos safety Justin Simmons told local media toward the end of the season that McMillian was the MVP defensively for them this season. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie took home First-Team honors, and Buffalo Bills defensive back Taron Johnson took home second-team honors in the AP’s first-ever edition of the nickel position into the voting criteria.
Despite hauling in 10 touchdown receptions this season, Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton was not recognized in any of the All-Pro voting. The Broncos offense was hard to watch for a good portion of 2023, but Sutton was a bright spot as he took a major leap forward this season. If Sutton had surpassed 1000 yards receiving, there’s a stronger argument to be made that he would have been considered for voting.
